A do-it-yourself guide for getting rid of just about anything.

Best Ways to Get Rid of Centipedes

Modified on July 17, 2016

I first encountered a house centipede when I was 12. I saw it on my way to bed one night, crouching on the wall above the stairs. I stood motionless, staring at it while I decided whether to wake my dad to ask him what that thing was, and to kill it for me. I’m notoriously phobic of creepy-crawlies, and was shaken enough to decide that waking my dad after midnight because of a bug that looked like this one was justifiable. He disagreed. Before going back to bed (leaving the centipede undisturbed), he told me that they crawl all over you and bite you while you sleep. The next morning, in a slightly repentant mood, he told me that this probably wasn’t true. Turns out, it’s not. Centipedes rarely bite people, and sometimes their jaws aren’t even strong enough to pierce human skin in self-defense. If they manage it, a centipede bite will usually resemble a minor bee sting in a human or large mammal like a cat or dog.

The only creatures that need to worry about house centipedes are their fellow pests, since centipedes kill and eat a variety of things you’d probably rather get rid of, like bed bugs, termites, silverfish, spiders, and even cockroaches. Technically, then, they’re desirable in the home, but people have been telling me that about spiders for years, yet I don’t want to find one of them in the shower with me, either. So if you’re like me, read on, and I’ll help you get rid of centipedes.

What is a Centipede?

There are more than 2,000 species of centipede in the world, most of which live almost exclusively outdoors. The kind we’re talking about is the house centipede, scientific name Scutigera coleoptrata, the only species that can live its entire life and breed inside a building. The species is probably native to the Mediterranean region, but has made its way around the world thanks to international trade and travel.

Centipedes are arthropods like insects, but they aren’t actually insects, since they have more than six legs (by far; the house centipede has an average of 30 when full-grown). They lay eggs—usually between 50 and 100—in the spring, and can live a relatively long time: 3-7 years. They spend most of the day hiding in dark places, and come out at night to hunt for small prey. Because they have to remain in a damp environment to keep from drying out, they are often found outdoors under rocks, tree bark, and leaves, and indoors in basements and bathrooms.

Best Methods for House Centipede Control

Kill centipedes or capture them on sight—if you can. Their rigid bodies and freakishly long, numerous legs make them very fast. But centipedes don’t usually invade homes in enormous numbers, so if you don’t see them often and you eliminate the one you’re looking at, you may have just taken care of your centipede problem. If you don’t want to kill the centipede, but you want it out of your space, you can capture it in a jar and take it outside. Otherwise, spraying it with an aerosol insecticide that claims to kill centipedes—or simply squishing it—will do the trick.

Get rid of other small household pests, and centipedes will move to someone else’s house, where there’s more to eat.

Keep your house dry. Centipedes dry out and die if they don’t stay in a moist environment, so if you clean up damp closets and basements, and use dehumidifiers, centipedes will find a more hospitable place to live.

Use sticky traps. Put them in corners along the floorboards, where centipedes often hunt, and the traps will capture not only centipedes, but house insects as well. This will help you determine which other pests you need to eliminate, to deprive the centipedes of prey. You can order these sticky traps from Victor at Amazon.

Close off entrance points. Keep centipedes from entering your house in the first place by sealing cracks in the foundation and concrete walls, eliminating spaces around doors and windows, and covering basement floor drains with window screen. This will help with other home invading bugs too.

Chemical Centipede Extermination

If you aren’t satisfied with just keeping these creepy-crawlies out of your space, and you want to know how to kill centipedes, keep reading. If your only beef is with centipedes inside your house, you can put a powdered residual insecticide such as Drione in the places where centipedes usually hide, like in wall cracks, dark corners of the basement, crawl spaces, and under furniture. Keep in mind that centipedes will have to walk across an insecticide accidentally; because they usually go after moving prey, they aren’t susceptible to baits.

You can discourage centipedes from even going near your home by coating the bottom few feet of the side of your house, and soaking at least a five-foot band of soil around the house, with an outdoor residual spray insecticide such as Talstar or Demon WP. If you don’t even want to encounter centipedes in your yard, be sure to spray the whole lawn and any mulch you use for gardening or landscaping. Remember, though, that insecticides alone will only work temporarily and often are detrimental to helpful bugs like honeybees. If your yard and house are still cluttered, damp, and full of tasty bugs, the centipedes will find you again.

Best Natural Centipede Control Methods

Actually, most methods of getting rid of centipedes are natural ones. I’ll provide a couple of additional suggestions here, but some natural solutions—like keeping your house dry and sealing potential points of entry—are detailed in the center of the page.

Reduce clutter, inside the house and out. If your laundry isn’t on the floor, centipedes will be forced to find another hiding place. Outside, keep leaf litter, grass clippings, firewood, compost, and building materials cleaned up or away from the perimeter of the house. If you really hate centipedes (and you aren’t renting), you may even go so far as to tear down any ivy growing up the side of your house. Centipedes love to hide in it.

If you want to poison the centipedes, but you don’t want to poison the earth, yourself, or your pets, you can use natural pesticides like boric acid or food grade diatomaceous earth for continual centipede control. Products containing plant-derived pyrethrin will exterminate centipedes on contact, and can be used as a fog or spray. You can get a 10 lb bag of diatomaceous earth from Amazon for a decent price.

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COMMENTS

November 8, 2016 at 1:27 am

Shelley Monteleonesays:

Please delete my previous comment. I would like to make corrections and resubmit.

November 7, 2016 at 1:27 pm

Betsy Fabersays:

Hi Shelley,

I feel your pain – when I lived in Japan we had GIANT centipedes and I went so far as to put insect netting over my bed. The do enjoy humid areas which is why you typically find them in basements (or under rocks/logs if you are out in the wild). I might discontinue the use of the humidifier until you feel like you have gotten rid of the ones in your home and found any potential entry points into the house. You could try the skin-so-soft as well but I don’t have first hand knowledge on if that would be effective (can’t hurt!). You could also try natural insecticides such as DE (amazon link above) or borax along the thresholds of your doors as well as the door to your bedroom – good luck!

November 7, 2016 at 12:49 am

Shelley Monteleonesays:

I live in the High Desert in California. In the last 2 years, I’ve been bitten 8 times; the last 3 times within the last month or so. I had the exterminator to my house. I got bit that night. I wake in the morning with an itch and a 9 Sq inch swollen red mark on my arm! I’m allergic to the venom. They bite in the same spot on my forearm and twice on the bottom of my foot. I’ve stopped sleeping in my room until we can get rid of them. It’s driving me crazy! We cleared our clutter. I’ve also realized that the increase in frequency of bites coinsides with the purchase of a personal humidifier placed on my night stand. My husband has not been bothered. He uses Avon’s skin-so-soft. It repels mosquitoes. I wonder if it repels the centipedes as well. I’m praying for resolution because I’m scared to death I’ll get bitten again! It’s three or so days of misery and a type of bruise that lasts for months!

October 29, 2016 at 9:14 am

Another bug phobic centipede hatersays:

These things are far more serious than people think. The ones in my house are black with orange-black legs. They are calm enough that if I find one on me, I can slap it off me without getting stung. But I find 1-2 EVERY DAY! I’ve gotten to the point where I encourage the two cats to find them, and if they do, they get a treat. With a family, clutter reduction is the best possible, clutter elimination is a dream, not possible. I’m always afraid of stepping on one. I want to put my house up on stilts, that’s how much I hate these things.

We spray every two months, three feet up and three feet around the house, including all cracks. But maybe they are below the slab because there are a few cracks in it. We’ve re-sealed them, but even that doesn’t help. So I can only assume they already live and breed inside the house. We have mice also, and a new crop of mice enters each year via the attic (they climb in, and nest). I imagine the centipedes live off the mouse poop and other bugs attracted to such things, or maybe even the baby mice.

I can’t believe every website parrots the same advice over and over. I’ve tried it all, removed every single bush from my house perimeter, removed all mulch, reduced water, cleaned the gutters, I spray every 2 months… the only thing left to do is to move all the furniture, pull up the carpets, and replace the baseboards.. and while they are open, dust boric acid and diatomaceous earth in the walls. Also there are insecticide dusts. I’ve also worked on controlling the mice… etc…

I’m amazed, totally amazed that there isn’t a bait for this type of bug. One that the mommy can bring back to the baby (since they “nurture” their young), thus wiping out two generations. If you get them in your bathroom, have you noticed, they come out if you take a dump? They can smell it. It seems like it would be easy to make a poison lure for them.

Thankfully they don’t swim, and they can be immobilized by “friction” so I now don’t “stomp” them, but rub them into the carpet until all legs are broken. I’ve noticed if I cut them in half, the two halves just walk off. Bleh. They have no “head” you can whack to kill them. Friction and flushing is the only method I have found effective. I once didn’t friction one of them.. I could hear it biting the paper I was holding it with. Yuck! So now I always immobilize them.. gawd I am getting paranoid again.

I also feel like I’m getting PTSD from these things. I can’t sleep either. Especially after I found one on me when I woke up one night. This is turning into a phobia, I’m getting a mental illness from these things.

October 16, 2016 at 12:36 pm

Logansays:

Laz,
I have read that using tea tree oil around all the cracks can help deter the centipedes. Again, taking care of the cracks is your best bet. One thing I did when i was dealing with these was use a dehumidifier. That worked for me the best. As long as the one downstairs was on 24/7 and the one upstairs was set to 30% I didn’t have to deal with these buggers. Using 25 drops or more of tea tree oil in 6 oz of water in a spray bottle might help. Happy hunting.

October 9, 2016 at 8:34 pm

Logansays:

RJ,
They can come in through anything they can fit through. I don’t believe they come in through sewer pipes as long as they are in use. Any crack you have in the house or foundation that they can fit in will allow them access.

October 9, 2016 at 8:28 pm

Logansays:

Hey Lana,
If it makes you feel any better I dealt with these buggers at my old apartment. Not once was I bitten. The best way I got rid of them was with a dehumidifier.

Ratifusio,
Your best bet would to be to try to minimize clutter in the home, seal all areas that the centipedes come through, and try to keep your home as dry as possible using a dehumidifier. Moving to a higher place might help eliminate the problem. Centipedes like moist areas with a lot of cover. So moving up a floor might not be such a bad idea.

September 24, 2016 at 9:45 pm

Severe bug-a-phobicsays:

Please im desperate!!! We rehabbed a brick house we bought no bugs through the whole tear up and construction process. We moved in and in one month weve had the exterminators out four times, other than a few spiders we are plagued by centipedes, not even in our basement but on 2nd floor in the hallway mostly, used to be on walls now i almost step on them. I am petrified and we kills a good 5 a night. I am seriously getting ptsd from this and have turned into a neurotic nut job who cant sleep. My husband is about to kill me. We have no other bugs, our house is sparkling clean, we have completely new vents and even brought in people to clean our vents. We are desperate and have young child. Extwrminator sees no nest of them can cant understand why we have them after they’ve practically bombed our place like 4 times now. We also have a dehumidifier. All this rain doesnt help!!! All solutions welcome.

September 23, 2016 at 7:52 am

Logansays:

Hey Ricardo,
I personally have dealt with house centipedes. Prior to getting a dehumidifier upstairs they were a nuisance. We ended up getting a dehumidifier upstairs that ran constant and kept the one downstairs running constant. We went all summer with maybe 2 sightings. We kept the dehumidifier upstairs at 30%. The one downstairs was set to just stay on. If you need a certain level of humidity to keep protect wood than you can try the other solutions on this page. I’d say at most 30%.

September 23, 2016 at 5:37 am

Ricardosays:

What percentage of humidity is uncomfortable for Centipedes. I keep my basement around 40-45% because that’s the ideal humidity to protect wood, but that doesn’t seem to deter the centipedes

September 22, 2016 at 11:19 pm

Rose Ssays:

Omg. What do I do they are strangely everywhere I have the pest control guy coming on Saturday is it make more sense for an HVAC or heating inspection to come before the pest guy comes on Saturday I have a appointment scheduled with the HVAC people tomorrow afternoon Friday but am prepared to cancel it if the pest guys should look at it first on Saturday Please help. Extreme allergies please help what product should I get who get out here first. Please help. I feel like I’m repeating last year but this time we just got hardwood floors in our entire house and I fear that the gaps and other cracks in homes including pipes? Plumbing ? What should I buy?What should/can I buy you know leave my house and go to the 24 hour Walmart down the road to get some product to tide me over until I have time to order from Amazon or wherever please help ! Needs help. Need immediate advice. PLEASE. Thank you!

September 12, 2016 at 7:26 am

Lazsays:

I live in a basement in Queens for 5 years, these demons come out mostly in the spring/summer and we have tried everything to get rid of them! Sometimes we notice that they go out either in teams (a teen and a young adult) and if one gets caught at least the other gets away. And if both are caught, an “elder” does a recon and usually they don’t get caught. I have 2 kids and I hate these damn things. There is no getting rid of them!! Stomping them or spraying them out is now just for sport, but I’m not in any rush to make a necklace of the defeated. Cracks are everywhere and unsealable (mainly ceiling tiles and high gaps under doors) and have been advised in the past that spraying bleach at possible entry points, but they come from everywhere!!! I also have carpeting in 80% of the house, is there a baking soda/scented oil combination that I could use while vacuuming?

September 3, 2016 at 11:08 am

RJsays:

Do they come in through sewer pipes up I mean maybe not but I’m just wondering where the hell they’re coming from because they’re as round as a pencil and as long as 3 to 4 inches they look like an earthworm, in color

September 3, 2016 at 5:18 am

Lanasays:

This article is both comforting and disturbing at the same time. I live in Arkansas, I first noticed the house centipede in my house about three years ago. I’d never seen such a creature before in my life. I honestly assumed it came home in our baggage from our recent trip to the beach. Now, I see them on our walls mostly, but they do scurry across the floor or in the bathtub or sink.

Reading about people finding them in their bed, on their pillows, on their face is terrifying. My poor kids encountered one in the shower. They were screaming crawling up the shower wall one direction, the house centipede was (I’m sure screaming in his own way) trying to crawl up the shower wall the other direction. I thought my children were being scalded by hot water the way they screamed. My little ones used to draw pictures of “monsters,” that I later realized was a picture of a house centipede. Long, thin, legs that look like eyelashes, they were drawing that which scared them the most. Their drawing the creatures actually seems to have been good therapy for them. Poor babies.

Anyway, I will work with my husband to try some of the remedies mentioned in this article. I have read they are in the same category as the silver fish? I remember seeing those when I lived in California. The House Centipede is much creepier – I call them “Walking Eyelashes.”

Finally, I have red other articles stating these bugs are relatively harmless, yet I’ve read in comments here of painful bites and ER visits. I didn’t realize these insects did bite, I thought they wrapped their bug victims with their legs and “shocked” them with their legs to kill them, then devoured them. I assumed their mouth was too small to bite a human.

August 28, 2016 at 3:51 am

John Coldsays:

Surely Karen, you should know my position first… My bathroom is filled with thousand of them and i can’t find any holes in ghe bathroom. Or i think it breed a lot in the bathroom and it made their own shelter. Surely i believe that’s happen cause, all of it’s children came out surpringly from the floor while i’m showering… Do you have something like spray that can kill them? Thx by the way

August 23, 2016 at 3:30 pm

Ratifusiosays:

Hi, I’m from Dominican Republic and here in the Caribbean we have the nastiest centipedes you can imagine (like these and some other species equally as nasty http://www.anoleannals.org/wp-content/comment-image/1176.jpg). The smaller ones get into the house through the water pipes, and I even saw one coming through the toilet. I see them every day and I don’t know what to do. I’ve even considered moving to a higher place (I live in a first floor). What can I do to stop them from entering the house from the pipes? I think I have every other entrance covered.

I always feel like my 9 month old baby is in danger, as these big ones can cause serious damage if they sting.

August 23, 2016 at 12:01 pm

Mark Ssays:

I used to try to control these ugly bugs, but gave up and use Terminix every three months to spray and it really helps. It is an expensive way to treat. However, Terminix will spray any time I see them for no extra charge as long as I continue my annual contract. I find enough of them dead so I know the spray the use works, and I never see them up from the basement where they travelled through our HVAC vents to get upstairs. I can totally relate to some of the comments other users have made on checking the room before you enter, armed w/a flyswatter, avoiding the basement at night, etc.

Recently we had heavy rains and took in water in our basement and I noticed some while being in the basement late at night. We are in the process of replacing some concrete slabs, fixing cracks in the foundation, and removing a compost bin that is too close to the house. I’m hoping this fixes the problem so I can cancel my pest control contract. I still have the habit of checking the rooms in my house when its late at night. Before I enter-especially at night, and if I do see one I go after it and smash it with my fist if it’s on a wall-which seems to be the place I see them the most. I have learned that these “creepy crawly things” are too fast by the time I grab a paper towel to squash them. They are so smart that they can sense movement when you enter a room and will usually freeze until you make a move. As gross as it may sound, I have found my “fist smashing” method has been the best way to kill them right away before they get away.

Karen, sounds very likely. Do those vent type things vent to the outside? If so, I’d just put some screen on them. If you do that, however, you’ll need to clean the screen periodically to get dust/pet hair/etc. off of it so it doesn’t get too blocked to vent properly.

August 20, 2016 at 1:54 pm

Karen Feinsays:

Ten months ago in the fall we moved into a townhome built on a slab. Come spring I started seeing these mini monsters mainly in the master bathroom. Freaked me out. Our HOA provides exterminator services once a month on the exterior and 3 times a year interior. I have used up my 3 and it hasn’t worked. Whatever chemical they use is not effective. This is our routine come bedtime. My husband enters the bathroom, fly swatter at the ready. I turn on the light and he starts inspecting. First the tub, then the water closet, then the shower. He’s gotten real good at killing them–buggers are FAST. If he kills one, I am gagging. He knows I can’t even clean one up. God, I hope I die first!!

Now my question. We have a Jacuzzi tub. The motor access is in the water closet behind two vent type things. Although I never see them come in, I am convinced this is where they gain entry. Could this be correct? Since we never use the tub, if I am correct, I am going to look for a way to seal it up.

Literally the devil’s creatures. I live in an in law apartment – a BASEMENT for my entire living space, and they are everywhere. I’ve never felt so afraid of an insect in my life.
I’m itchy just thinking about it.

August 3, 2016 at 7:31 pm

Terrysays:

I have made it my mission to seal every conceivable crack these suckers can get in except for one inviting entry point I’m sure all lined up at night to gain entry, that is the pcv pipes for my furnace/water heater. Is this a plausible entry point? If so is there a solution?

August 1, 2016 at 9:45 am

LAsays:

People of Chicago area, i have been petrified through Spring to Fall at the prospect of seeing wily creatures. The fact, there are more of hapless creatures like me sharing my pain and dislike, makes me all gooey and warm.I thought i was the only one facing this problem and i have been asking my sincerely praying parents to petition God on my behalf… i do not mind sending one or two above myself. I hated roaches, and wondered why God even created them, and these have been added to that list. I am living in a world of toxic fumes daily helped by insect sprays of every kind… and i have sworn off entering my house after dark – especially after a rainy day… these are more eager to get inside the house late night, than i am!! People are giving me jitters by talking about these nasty beings falling on the face… and i am already shaking! I had one on my bra, and it scared the living daylights out of me… by evening, Borax and/or sticky traps are likely to be in my place. I hate my basement now, and even more so, hate all the useless overindulgent clothes i have stocked in my house… Looking to buy an inexpensive dehumidifier too! Anything to kill this disgusting creepies – Peta, i dont support you on this one! Even if i see them writhing under the spray and a corner of my heart feels bad, just the idea of them walking around MY space makes me evil!! Wont spiders eat them? Do i need bring home a cat?

These things are freaky I find them every place in my house there little creations of the devil I hate them so much I woke up once and like 3 or 2 where on my face their so creepy SEND HELP!!!!!!!!!!

July 21, 2016 at 11:48 pm

Marianasays:

I rent a Basement in Chicago & my bathroom is so Humid! Everytime I go to tje bathroom im afraid to spot one! We have am Air conditioner in our room so it’s cool & dry, but i still see one once in awhile up in the celling. I hate them! & can’t sleep because im afraid that if they’re in the celling & im asleep it will land on my bed or my daughters bed.!

Zachtro, that laundry spray probably killed it, eventually. Most bugs have a protective waxy/greasy cuticle that helps them to maintain hydration. By spraying soap in it, you’ve probably dissolved that cuticle and it’s just a matter of time before he dehydrates and dies.

July 7, 2016 at 10:35 pm

Joesays:

Sometimes I hit em with Windex….if they still get away they will be sticky and not able to move as fast…..I live in Chicago
and only see them in summer especially when it’s humid….

July 3, 2016 at 10:25 pm

Nicolahsays:

I just got bitten by one. The pain woke me up. Got bitten in the right flank of my back. Now I have the light on and a pin pricks of fear all over me. Thank goodness my son wasn’t in the bed next to me because I’m certain he would have been bitten. I can’t sleep now….

June 30, 2016 at 10:22 am

Diana Myerssays:

My name for these nasty looking things is ‘Hairy Monsters”. I hate them.

June 30, 2016 at 12:54 am

Zachtrosays:

I am EXTREMELY bug-o-phobic. I shake even coming in 5 feet of house centipedes. Even these small ones! I had one in my basement, where I was planning to sleep, and it just sat on the floor, frozen. Then, I had the (sarcasm) AMAZING idea of squirting it with Shout Laundry spray. The little thing went under the couch, I lost it, and I went upstairs. I have no idea on the current status of it. Am I able to go back down? (That’s my hangout room)

It’s almost midnight. I come home, turn on the lights in my living room and what do I see? Two on the ceiling and one by the TV. I grab my vacuum cleaner, plug it into the outlet next to my TV (by this time this centipede ran away). I turn on my vacuum and suck the two on the ceiling. I move in further and notice two on the floor, suck those right up. I look behind three sofas, there is a centipede behind each- sucked those suckers up. An eventful night before going to bed…

June 26, 2016 at 11:00 pm

Shamiransays:

It’s almost midnight. I come home, turn on the lights in my living room and what do I see? Two on the ceiling and one by the TV. I grab my vacuum cleaner, plug it into the outlet next to my TV (by this time this centipede ran away). I turn on my vacuum and suck the two on the ceiling. I move in further and notice two one floor, suck those right up. I look behind three sofas, there is a centipede behind each- successful those suckers up. An eventful night before going to bed…

June 24, 2016 at 9:19 pm

Carolsays:

I spray them with hairspray, preferably mega-hold. Makes all their legs stick together as it dries. That way, if I can’t squish it, at least I can sleep at night knowing it’s not going to get very far.

Ha! Thanks for the comment, John! I love the term “megaleggers” and will definitely be stealing it. As for the floor drain, does it get used with any regularity?

June 17, 2016 at 11:05 am

Mark Williamssays:

Can a centipede get trapped in a vacuum cleaner if you get the centipede sucked up into the vacuum cleaner. There are times that I can not smash the centipede with my slipper, so I vacuum them. Does this work all the time because I saw another one the night after, is this a different centipede.

June 16, 2016 at 10:14 am

John Rsays:

We’ve been calling them Megaleggers, but today on your site I learned they’re apparently called House Centipedes. We care for them not.

We have seen several of these hideous imps in the past week in our home here outside Chicago. Other than perhaps killing other bugs, they’re too ugly to be up to any good. Our dog runs up to them upon sighting them, but is too appalled to attack them. My wife and daughter are particularly disgusted by these creatures, and daily we all wonder why God might have brought them into existence, other than perhaps as a warning of what awaits those who shall spend eternity in hell. Obviously hell probably is covered with these to a depth of six or seven feet: and a species which thrives is sulfurous heat.

Speaking of hell, I suspect these things are emanating from the bowels of the earth through the floor drain in our crawlspace. I think I’ll have to try to cover that thing with screen, but am concerned of finding myself in some sort of Stephen Spielberg scene where I get pulled into the hole and devoured by the Lord of the Underworld Arthropods.

I wonder whether there’s some sort of repellent that might be effective if sprayed on the interior wall of the floor drain.

Jessica, ha! Not really. However, they have no qualms with cannibalism. It’s possible one was chasing the other to eat it.

June 15, 2016 at 3:57 am

Jessicasays:

I was just woke up my 2 of these demon bugs crawling on my pillows & hands…all my lights on!! Needless to say they was flushed but now I can’t sleep bc I feel like there will be more crawling in my bed…do they travel in packs ?? Lol

Joy, Ha! Go get ’em! (Just be careful not to inadvertently bleach anything that shouldn’t be bleached.)

June 14, 2016 at 6:16 am

Joysays:

I have seen four light brown ones 1 relaxing on my livingroom wall…got my broom went town on his ass…number 2 was in kitchen sink..Sprayed with bleach& vinegar killed it..number 3 in my bedroom running sprayed him…number 4 in bathroom on wall…sprayed my solution….finito!!!! Hate those nasty critters….

My God these things are freaking me out! Okay, the problem I have are small and thin. My cat is feasting on them and I just moments ago turned to my wall only to find like six or seven of them parading down from where I have no idea. They are all over the place. I have pest control coming but they won’t be here until the 15th of June 2016. I have a vaulted ceiling and air conditioner vents. Can they be coming from there? I did notice they seem to be crawling in through a large window I have in my apartment. But there has to be other places, like I said they are all over my apartment. I know they are very tiny and harmless. But right now its like a freaking horror movie in here. I barely own any furniture (I’m a college student) and most of my stuff is basically on the floor. Dvd’s, books, etc. I have two mattresses one in the bedroom and now in the leaving room (I moved into my living room last year b/c they were entering from the side porch attached the bedroom so that’s another enterance I am aware of. I live in North Carolina and its hot as hell over here so the A/C is often on. I do live behind a wooded area and am on the second floor. This problem only seems to last a few months (I read Winter? but here it’s always summer) this year happens to be by far the worst. I can’t take it anymore! I cannot use pestcides because of my cat. Though she has been a great help snacking on them. I have no idea what the hell the exterminator guy is going to do I just hope he goes overboard b/c I just can’t take this. I have a humidifer in my bathroom – I live in a rather dry enviornemt b/c of the humidity – they are everywhere sometimes I hear them dropping from the celing. HELP!

June 7, 2016 at 8:35 am

LucianoQsays:

I have been surprised to read here and in other sites that the centipede’s byte resemble a bee sting. I have heard otherwise by people stung by them. One tough guy who was bitten by one in his thumb told me that at that moment he would gratefully accept his arm to be cut from the shoulder down!!!

I’m writing from Puerto Rico. Maybe it is our species that sting so hard. I have seen only two varieties: black ones which rarely are longer than 3 inches, and brown ones who run from 4 to 6 inches. I don’t know if it is the same in young and adult stages.

K.V.Rao, scolopendra are a type of centipede, just not the type we’re talking about in this article. This article focuses on the house centipede, which are wayyyyy less terrifying. As far as I can tell, scolopendra bites are very painful, but rarely fatal. You should talk to a doctor though, just to be sure.

May 29, 2016 at 12:47 am

Winifred McAllistersays:

This is terrible , how do you sleep…help mr

May 24, 2016 at 5:11 am

K.V.Raosays:

Are scolopendra and centipede same?
What is the home remedy if they bite us?
Do we need to take some injection immediately?

May 10, 2016 at 9:08 am

Dai Yi Fansays:

Thank you so much! I have those “mother arthropods” in my home too. They piss me off so much. There is a special place in hell for these satan spawned pieces of “feces”. —- Note, some words have been altered by the moderator. You guess which ones.

Ha! Thanks for the comment, Rene! Borax works great, but is used in detergents for a reason!

April 23, 2016 at 12:41 am

Renesays:

The borax solution was told to be when I had a flea infestation in VA. I poured boxes on my wall to wall carpeted house. Two years later, when I was thoroughly cleaning the house before we moved out, I realized that I perhaps used too much. The carpet kept foaming and foaming! After two days of rewetting the carpet and no end of the bubbly stuff in sight, I just let it dry…rather stiffly, I might add. I prayed no one came behind me and felt the need to get anything wet near the floors!!

Danielle, there are dusters (bellows dusters, bulb dusters) designed specifically for this. They work great for directing the DE!

March 12, 2016 at 3:59 pm

Cheryl Hamiltonsays:

I live in Pa. where we have centipedes from spring through fall. I have heard that anise or licorice root will stop the problem. Is this true?

March 11, 2016 at 11:55 pm

Daniellesays:

Ok, so my spouse is very fussy and doesn’t like the messiness of DE… had a fit when I put some down in the basement last year. Anyone have tips for more precise application of DE, both indoors and out? I’ve heard that using a hair dye applicator bottle works well for some people to release small “puffs” of DE… but would that method dispense enough DE to be effective? What about mixing with water (or vodka?) and doing a spray application? Any tips from experienced DE users would be greatly appreciated!

Bob, I guess if you’re lucky enough to live in Hawaii, you’ve gotta take the bad with the good! This article focuses on house centipedes (that’s actually what they’re called, it’s not a generic, catch-all term) which is a widespread mainland species. However, except for some of the details on physical description and bad attitudes, most of what is in this article will apply to your situation.

February 9, 2016 at 7:09 pm

Bobsays:

I don’t know about your part of the world, but here in Hawaii, their bite is exceedingly painful and for some victims, the pain and swelling may cause a visit to the E.R. They do bite people in their sleep! While sawing zzz two years I was bitten on the lip and eyelid by a centipede. My wife was more distressed that I had not killed it and was still somewhere in or around our bed than by the fact that I had been wounded. and I had to forego dealing with my pain and locate and kill the bastard, which I eventually did, but made the mistake of repeating an oft told Hawaiian warning that they often travel in twos. I don’t know which was more annoying, the pain of those bites or my wife making me play Orkin Man the rest of the night.

It is not true that centipede stings don’t hurt. It is very very very painful. I was bitten on my back recently by a centipede which had crawled into my bed, of all places. It just pained so much as if a drilling machine was being driven into my arm pit. These things re very dangerous. Fred Lee is talking abt millipedes which don’t bite.

Jeanette, do you know what kind of centipede it was? Most are harmless (even to poodles). Probably nothing to worry about.

November 5, 2015 at 12:22 am

Dianasays:

Wasp spray kills them but smells horrible; also, don’t spray it on walls under 10/15 feet or windows if you are too close; that stuff may bounce back at you. Not fun.!! But, it’s cool since that means you have 20-27 feet for access to get rid of those crazy weird fast things!!

Floors are fine; the wasp spray saturates the floor so they sort of drown as well since i go CRAZY when i see them!! )

But fair warning, wasp spray IS REALLY NOT GOOD TO BREATHE IN sooo…. I spray and then close my doors and run into another room. Then, come back with Febreeze spray, open a window, etc.

Also, a humidifier is REALLY HELPFUL; or even a small portable heater; just something to dry out the air, etc.***

anyway, glad i saw this website because i was too embarrassed to ask people from work; didn’t know what caused these things and i DO clean my house, etc.**

Good luck EVERYONE!!

November 5, 2015 at 12:11 am

Dianasays:

hey everyone, I thought it was just my brother’s old cinderblock house that had so freaky problems! We live in Georgia; it’s humid about 10 months of the year and we’ve had ALL KINDS OF WEIRD crap but I never saw a centipede in the house until last night! In my bathroom sink! freaked me out as i had it disconnected a month ago to redo the ceramic tile, etc.!

But, the worst was when I opened up my side porch door after it had rained all weekend, 5 inches! and those crazy centipede-cricket looking things leaped at me and chased me out of the room!!

soo, after i screamed like a little girl, even though i am an older girl, LOL!, i grabbed the darn Wasp spray and THAT SURE KILLED THEM!!

They are FAST!! but i still got them with the 20-27 foot wasp spray/acid spray!

SAFETY ALERT-That wasp spray WILL bounce off walls, etc. if you are too close and that stuff IS like acid; found out the hard way and received 2nd degree burns a few years ago on my face (thank goodness i was wearing sunglasses!!) so don’t get under 15 feet from walls and spray that stuff!

now floors are different; I haven’t found that the wasp spray bounces back at all when i was 5-7 feet away from the “MONSTERS”!

AND LASTLY

November 4, 2015 at 7:17 am

Jeanette Mcdonaldsays:

I was just watching TV when a huge orange centipede appeared at the top of my inside lounge door and dropped swiftly to the floor with a heavy thud.
It gave me such a fright. I scooped up my toy poodle and placed her in a safe spot whilst I reluctantly tried to kill the monster. Would my poodle become ill if the centipede bit her?

Tami, the story about the centipede on your face will give me nightmares… Thanks.

October 28, 2015 at 11:12 am

jackiesays:

When I see a centipede in our basement and it freezes on the wall, I found that trying to hit it with a broom or mop displaced enough air for it to know to run! So now I slowly walk up with the handle end of a broom or mop. The centipede almost never moves as I spear it in the middle. Another version of spear fishing.

October 27, 2015 at 10:27 am

Tamisays:

Woke up a few weeks ago with something crawling on my face. When I went to grab it it clung to my fingers so I looked (still hazy from being asleep) it was a 3 inch centipede. It was so fast I mean fast! but I caught it and released it outside in the morning. Had never seen one in the 25 years I have been in this house (tidewater area of VA). So yesterday I was washing my hair over the tub got a towel (New clean towel) down, opened it, and another one fell out –this one I washed down the drain. I ran the water for 15 minutes to make sure. It was also dark pinkish and about 3 in. Now I am afraid to walk anywhere in my house. And I am itching as I type this.

Mandy, they’re not coming up the drain, they’re coming in from outside. DE is short for diatomaceous earth. It’s the fossilized remains of microscopic see organisms (diatoms, etc.). They work because they’re sharp enough to cut the exoskeletons of bugs when they walk over/through the stuff. When enough cuts are made, they dry out and die.

October 20, 2015 at 12:16 pm

Mandysays:

so could these things be coming up my drain an what is DE where do u get it

Kayla, DE is pretty safe, but just to be sure, I’d only put it along a small section of the house and see of the pup licks at it. Have you done any caulking or anything to keep them from getting in?

October 15, 2015 at 8:26 pm

Kaylasays:

These things are the reason I won’t take a shower past dark, I don’t go in the bathroom without shoes on, and I won’t sit in the living room unless my feet are off the ground (they like to run at my toes while darting across the carpet. Little million legged bastards). I’ve been known to skip showers if a family member sees one in the shower that night (so sue me!).

I’ve thought about dusting around our house with the diatomaceous earth stuff to help with this creepy crawly problem, but we have a huskador that likes to eat and lick at absolutely anything he can get his mouth on. I’m terrified that he’s going to eat something that can harm him, but my fear of these things is getting worse. Is there any risk to my dog here? Any suggestions?

Hey Jan, tough luck! Just keep in mind that centipedes, as gross as they are, are pretty harmless.

September 13, 2015 at 6:55 pm

Jan Chapmansays:

Just dropping off to sleep the other night when I felt something crawling on my shoulder.Leapt up out of bed but couldn’t find anything.The last time I slept on my couch was so uncomfortable (mosquito in bedroom) I won’t do it again.Think it was a centipede—again!! I am very unlucky,had a mouse crawl over my face in bed many years ago and also had bedbugs (didn’t discover what was causing the raised lumps all over me for ages)I react very badly to any insect bites.Beware of buying old pictures from second hand places or ebay (this is how we think i got them!)

Grace, the most important thing for you is going to be keeping them from getting in. There’s good advice in the article on what you need to do to keep them out. For instance, go around the house and close off any potential entrance points. That includes the TINIEST of little spaces that don’t even look like anything could fit through. Look around pipes, wires, cables, etc. entering the home. Caulk around doors and windows. Make sure nothing can get in any vents including dryer vents. Do you have any pets, Grace?

Ha! Thanks Karen! Although, by taking out the “Slow Movers”, it sounds to me like you may be inadvertently selectively breeding for a special race of “Fast Movers” in your basement. GMO CENTIPEDES!!!!

September 13, 2015 at 12:06 pm

Gracesays:

We found a large centipede a few days ago on the dining room carpet..scared the daylight a out of my 86 year old mother and me !
Six inches long, 36 legs..UGH…thought it was a snake at first..my friend cut its head off and we put it outside.. Last night I woke up with one in my bed right next to my pillow…I was totally freaked out..we got him in a small trash bin, and flushed him in the toilet. I am VERY bug-a-phobic, stripped my bed, put new sheets on, moved the bed out, tried to look around for another one..I finally slept on the couch, too scared of having another one get in my bed..what can I put around our beds and sitting areas to run them off ? I have COPD, can’t tolerate strong chemicals or things like ammonia..HELP PLEASE !!!!

Stephanie, I’m not certain if the ammonia will kill them, but I would assume so. Just remember, they’re pretty darn harmless, and they eat a ton of other pests, like spiders, that are way more likely to bit. But yeah, they’re creepy as hell.

September 12, 2015 at 2:13 am

Karensays:

Loved reading all of these stories. Every spring, summer, and fall, centipedes appear in my basement. Winter is the only time I find relief because they’re hardly ever seen. We called in professional exterminators this year, but it wasn’t long before the ugly terrorists returned to spread their propaganda of fear and oppression. My defensive strategy: THE VACUUM CLEANER. Thank God for it, because I think I would have had a nervous breakdown by now without it. I simply aim the vacuum cleaner’s extension wand towards the back of the centipede (never the front where the antennae are located because they’ll start running away or worse – jump – yes I said jump – off the wall and land on whatever is beneath it), and it gets sucked right up and out of your life. Here’s what I’ve observed about these creepy critters thus far: First of all, they look like two giant eyelashes stuck together. Second, there seem to be 2 distinct personality types. The “Slow Movers” are a bit stupid and are easy to kill because they stay put wherever they are no matter what you do, whether it’s turning on a light, or moving around, or walking past them. It’s almost as if they’re in deep meditation or sleeping. The “Fast Movers” are very smart and know they’re in trouble the instant you turn on a light, walk into a room, or start moving around. They start running away immediately, making it harder for you to kill them, and by the time you’ve selected your weapon, they’re gone. Completely gone and out of sight. And don’t even bother trying to find them because you won’t. It’s time for the centipede to just become extinct.

Rain, you are incorrect. If you want to see the difference between the two, there’s a more in depth description on our Millipedes Page.

September 8, 2015 at 8:38 am

Rainsays:

Please relook your picture and description of centipede. You have described the millipede!

September 5, 2015 at 11:01 pm

Stephanie Hicksonsays:

I live in a basement on Long Island and in the humid summers I kill at least one house centipede per day, usually at night. I think they come in thru the air condition that’s in the small basement window at ground level. Most often I see them cooking across the walls at top speed, if I blink an eye I miss my kill window. I too wear shoes in the house because this summer I notice a few booking across my living room carpet while I watched tv from the couch. It’s gotten to the point where I’m paranoid in my own home..any movement out of the corner of my eye illicits a reaction of panic! Mt two cats haven’t been very helpful. Regular house pesticides haven’t proved very effective..tonight I tried ammonia sprayed on one I couldn’t get high enough to manually squish. He fell off the wall and I saw him run into the baseboards. Does anyone know if this will actually kill them? Or just annoy them enough to run and hide? Right now I’m sitting here with tissues ready in case he resurfaces!! Help!!

OMG……I just killed another one…In missed and ended up with a paper towel full of legs but no body…..went back in and found him.. I am finding them in my bedroom……creepy creepy and no idea why…I live on the second floor…..Will be picking up Boric acid this week. My cats are really letting me down

So my wife calls them mustache bugs (for obvious reasons). About a year and half ago I had a high count of 5 of them – all on the ground floor. I was crazed that night and got them all with the vacuum cleaner – like being on a safari hunt! But I thought that was an unusual amount. Just the other night, right after a very heavy downpour, I went down the basement and got 3 of them. But then I go months and not see them anywhere. And although they are creepy, I’ve noticed very few other bugs anywhere in the house (except an occasional Lady Bug on the ceiling or wall upstairs). I actually try to capture them and put them on my finger as I politely escort them outside. Our basement has a floating slab, so I figure the gap along the walls is the source of moisture on an occasion. I thought about foaming the gap as I’ve seen this done in many homes, but have seen where water still tends to peculate through and moistens the top of the foam on occasion. When the sump is wet or holding water in the bottom – bug alert. When dry (mostly in the winter), no safari hunting needed.

Ha! K. Kocak, other than everything listed in the article, the best advice I can give you is to relax. They’re the grossest things out there, but I’ve been living with them for years and have never had one crawl into my ears, nose, or mouth.

July 29, 2015 at 2:51 pm

K. Kocaksays:

Omg! That’s all I can say! This is a very humid,hot,sticky summer and this is the 1st time I’ve seen these things in my house!! They freakin are nasty creepy thing’s and they totally freak me out! I was in the restroom the other day and I heard something hit the floor!! It was a BIG sucker! I swear it just fell from nowhere!! I’m afraid to sleep sometimes cuz I don’t want them crawling into like my nose ears or mouth!! Pls help with any tip’s!

Ha, thanks for some interesting reading (comments), and some potential solutions (article). Love the stories…I too live in an older house and yes, centipedes do love to hang out here – I think they like all the old wood elements. I most frequently catch get them in the bathtub – probably come up out of the drains when the weather gets humid (I live in Chicago). I rarely see them in winter, but they’re pretty frequent in summer. Like others who have commented, they creep me out greatly. Those things are FAST! A fair-sized one whizzed up the wall next to where I have the computer last night and everything I had on the counter went flying and I almost fell out of my chair. But like someone else said, as soon as I moved, it froze and it just stayed there waiting agreeably while I got the swiffer (flat bottom, long handle) so I could whack it at a distance. And they’re fragile – they sort of puff into components when you hit at them, then it’s just a matter of clean-up. When they’re in the tub, they seem to have problems climbing out, so (go ahead, laugh at me), I have an array of old wine bottles that I keep filled with water by the window so I can swish them down the drain easily. If I just run the shower, they seem to be able to dodge around for quite a while and I’m always afraid they’ll make it out, so the bottles let me target them directly. I’ve recently had a few in the kitchen (on the counter where I have my computer), so I’m thinking I’ll try the diatomaceous earth suggestion. Thanks, all. Sleep tight!

July 25, 2015 at 1:15 am

Lulusays:

Ugh! Omg I just killed 2 in one night! I was laying on my bed watching something on YouTube and there it was. Crawling on my bed!!!! I freaked out so bad. I cleaned my room from top to bottom just have to get the closet tomorrow ugh. I wish they would just stay outside…..I wish all bugs would do that!

ahhhh! I hate those guys. Made my husband kill one in the bathroom today. it was a big sucker too! Get out! GEET OUT!

July 21, 2015 at 4:29 pm

Janicesays:

I hate, hate, hate centipedes!! My grandkids ask me why I always wear shoes in the house. I told them it was because I don’t like to feel dirt on my feet, really it’s because of these creepy bugs. What is safest to use with my golden? She lays where I see the creepy crawlers? Have enjoyed the comments and info. Janice in MD

Just killed one , a big and bouncy centipede crawled up my bathtub just after i took a bath! I poured some detergent to it and it pretended to be dead but a few seconds later it moved so i smashed it but my body is still shaking.

I have an enclosed porch. So, in the summer my cats can enjoy being out there at night. My new cat kills centipedes. I didn’t realize how many I had! I find a dead one on the porch every morning. Except, this morning I had to kill one running across my kitchen floor. I hate them, they terrify me! I’d rather have spiders!

Faye, I hear ya, sista. They’re the worst. However, the article above is very thorough and I’m not gonna reiterate the entire thing down here. Read it thoroughly and carefully. Don’t just skim it. Look through the comments, too. If you have any further questions after that, I’d be happy to help you try to get rid of the little devils.

Anna, absolutely spread your DE again. If it’s been a couple years, the stuff you put down has likely been spread out too much and maybe gotten a little chunky from humidity.

Also, they don’t generally get on furniture, that was kind of a fluke. You ever notice how if they see you, they go the opposite way? Same thing if they’re on the couch.

July 11, 2015 at 9:53 am

annasays:

I also am afraid of centipedes and a couple of years ago I kept finding them in the den. I went on line and orders some food grade diatomaceous earth and put in all around the baseboard and molding. It seemed to work because for a couple of years haven’t seen one. Then last night I saw one on the couch. Why the couch? Now I’ll never fell comfortable sitting on it again and it got got away. That ended me from watching TV down there and I guess it’s time to spread some diatomaceous again. It does work but it is very important that you buy FOOD GRADE only.

July 10, 2015 at 12:28 am

Fayesays:

I am so sick of these damn creatures. When I lived in NY I did not see any until I moved to Maryland. Can’t sleep because I am terrified of them. I just killed two humongous ones. OMG. WHAT DO I DO?

David, towards the top right of this page, you’ll see a “Related Articles” section. In it is a link to our page on Millipedes. Check it out.

June 22, 2015 at 5:56 am

Davidsays:

I must have millipedes as they look like babies about 1/2-3/4″ long and small in diameter. The problem is I kill about 6 to 8 everyday. I AM INVESTED WITH THE DAMN THINGS. Please if anyone knows how to get rid of them with a homemade solution please tell. I have no idea where they are coming from but I do know I have only seen them in my bathroom and kitchen.

Someone help me please!!!!!!!!!!!!!

David

June 17, 2015 at 11:48 pm

Sarahsays:

Great post and comments!! I just killed a monstrous one, now I am having trouble sleeping. I live in a 1840’s building, they appear to crawl out of the walls every summer. I will try those suggestions. Thanks!!

Omg!,I have been up all night I saw a baby running and I mean running carrying a friend along! He or she was so fast that I couldn’t even see where they went to. They blended in the carpet. Now I’m horrified so I turn on all the lights . I turn on my dining room lights and I see one 5 foot long lol seemed that long. Crawling down my wall. No more than I killed that one I found another in my living room the same size on my ceilling. I’m thinking I hope the hell that was momma daddy and baby and I got the 2 big ones killed! I’m on my way to Walmart to get some spray!,I’m terrified of bugs especially theze! And they like women ??? Are you kidding me? For what f…in g reason? I have had no sleep and damn near 3 heart attacks over those bastards! Walmart here I come!!!!!

Joann, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. If there are that many, they’ll soon run out of things to eat in your yard and disperse.

May 27, 2015 at 1:38 am

Joannsays:

Ok I am freaking out about the numbers of centipedes in my yard. True story millions of them are under everything. I was weeding the yard . Every weed has about 20 or more . Not sure if you want that many to be rid of bad pests.Help!!

I was taking a shower last night and when I looked up there was a centipede crawling along the ceiling, I will admit that I do have a phobia of them, I left to go grab something to kill it with while I was hugging the wall. I am now paranoid to walk through my house without looking everywhere first.

May 5, 2015 at 5:53 pm

syd harrissays:

Yep, had one this evening in the house here in southern Portugal…. about 5″ long various colours….our dog was creating a fuss, and lo and behold a fine specimen!!!.We have a old house so plenty of entry , exit routes,and living half way up a mountain, can be damp at times. I got bitten by a big version a couple of years ago, and it put me in hospital for a day receiving various antidotes etc…no real pain just anaphalactic shock syndrome>>>>previous Scorpion and wasp sting build-up contributed……anyway killed it, and will take steps….borax powder seems to deter, and the vinegar solution works.The smaller black version are millipedes , and are no threat at all, just a nuisance, pick em up and throw out ! no worries!

April 30, 2015 at 7:59 pm

Majorie Boye-Dokusays:

Just found a third centipede in my house and I cant sleep. Thank God my husband was around to kill the creepy bastard. Just hate crawling or creepy creatures and I never imagined I could find a centipede in my house. I am still frightened and I dont want to sleep. Thanks for this article bcs I could do with some of the means to get rid of them. I soo hate them!

April 21, 2015 at 5:49 pm

ashleysays:

iam super terrified of those nasty critters i found one last night when i was going to the washroom i have a huge phobia for centipedes spiders anything thats creepy, i was so freaked out i made my husband get out of bed and kill it for me , its the first time ive seen a bug in the house and honestly i hope i dont ever seen them again , im going to try the vinager thing and hope it helps i have a cat so i dont want to take the chance of using anything that will harm him.

Yes! As glad as I am to hear you say that, I do feel I should say that that is not a method we can condone. In fact, I must insist that no one try that…ever.

March 6, 2015 at 3:16 pm

Shermansays:

I have an older place and I see them a lot during our humid summers. I tend to use a chemical spray around the perimeter of every room and then a residual insecticide for outside. It has cut down on the number I see, however, I still see them…and when I do, I burn them…yes, I take a hairspray can and a lighter and burn them. I hope I don’t burn down the house. 🙂

February 23, 2015 at 12:16 am

samuel O.says:

I moved to a new house and they are coming frequently.i kill them on the spot.soon am coaching my little daughter to be courage of them!

February 18, 2015 at 1:47 pm

dedesays:

to rid bugs in plant soils look for “systemic” applications in home improvement stores, usually granular you mix in soil

January 27, 2015 at 1:42 pm

galesays:

if u live in europe or north america you dont need to worry of centipede. the most dangerous centipede live in tropical country(mainly south america ot south east asia). in place i live, centpede found in house is a common thing. my advice, you have to dismember it, to make sure they are realy dead

December 10, 2014 at 9:34 am

YOGESH KUMAR SHARMAsays:

My plant pots are infested with centipede/millipede like pests and the plants slowly die.
What could be the remedy to get rid of these creatures but to save the plants?? Can anyone suggest please. ?

November 10, 2014 at 2:20 pm

Sarah L.says:

I find them in my house at random times. Sometimes I see 3 in one week, sometimes I don’t see any for several weeks. I kill them with paper towels, yelling loudly as I squish them because they really freak me out. In fact I have to calm the jitters and psych myself up while I go fetch the paper towels to gather courage. They do move fast yet they always stay put while I go get a weapon.

I recently had to kill a huge one in my kitchen and it was so off-putting that I decided to take more action than just squishing the one. I went to the place I see them most often, the stairwell, and used a little handheld broom to sweep Borax into the crevices. I’ll need some drywall patch or wood putty to seal the vertical cracks another day. From now on when I find some time I’m going to sweep Borax into every crevice I can think of. Now that the stairs are done I can do the bedrooms, bathroom, attic, basement, etc until the whole house is done. This way, they can live in the walls all they want, but if they cross the Borax perimeter into my living space they’ll (hopefully) die of dehydration. It might just kill other insects, too. One of these days I should be able to rest easy.

July 29, 2014 at 12:02 am

SHALONNE PLUMMERsays:

Cayenne pepper, ground cloves, any herb that has strong pungent smell and taste.

May 31, 2014 at 9:25 pm

debbie peterssays:

These things seriously creep me out. Another solution is to clean your house thoroughly and keep it clean. Then clean all the baseboard in your house. When this is done, spray the baseboard with vinegar. Keep in mind this has to be done every few weeks. I’m pretty sure this won’t kill them. I think it’s more of a deterrent. I just notice that I tend not to see them after I do this. Plus vinegar isn’t harmful to your pets.